PHOTOS: 2023 Induction ceremony
Amy (Ahlers) Allgood ‘17
The first GPAC champion in Concordia Golf history, Amy (Ahlers) Allgood shined throughout her four years on the course while coached by Head Coach Brett Muller. The native of Albion, Nebraska, concluded her collegiate career as the school record holder for tournament championships (11), scoring average in a single season (80.79) and scoring average for a career (81.89). Amy finished in the top 10 in 32 of the 40 tournaments she competed in and finished top five at the GPAC Championships each year: fourth in 2013-14, second in 2014-15, third in 2015-16 and first in 2016-17. As the GPAC champion her senior year, Amy was named the GPAC Golfer of the Year and qualified for the 2017 NAIA Women’s Golf National Championship. Named Concordia’s 2016-17 Co-Female Athlete of the Year, Amy was twice recognized as a CoSIDA Academic All-American and was honored as a three-time Academic All-District award winner by College Sports Information Directors of America. She was twice rewarded with NAIA Scholar-Athlete honors. Upon the completion of her career, Amy owned women’s course records at Whispering Creek Golf Club and Green Valley Golf Course, both in Sioux City, Iowa.
Amy earned her degree from Concordia in Elementary Education with a Special Education endorsement. She acquired her master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Peru State College. Professionally, Amy has taught third grade at Belmont Elementary in Lincoln, Nebraska, (2017-18) and at Boone Central Elementary in Albion, Nebraska, (2018-present). Amy has also served as high school girls’ golf coach at Boone Central since 2020. Amy is a member of the Nebraska Coaches Association and has served the Albion/Boone Central Alumni and Albion Country Club Women’s Golf Committees. Amy is married to Aaron Allgood. She is an active member of Zion Lutheran Church in Albion. Says Amy of her time at Concordia, “I will forever be grateful to Concordia for bringing the best people into my life. Throughout my four years, I was able to gain lifelong friendships that I still hold very dear to me.”
Rick Dietze ‘04
One of the top players during the storied Grant Schmidt head coaching tenure, Rick Dietze garnered GPAC Player of the Year accolades in 2003-04. The two-time First Team All-GPAC honoree became a prolific scorer in pouring in 644 points as a junior and 598 as a senior, totals that led all GPAC players in those seasons. In 124 career games, Rick piled up 1,625 points (fifth most in program history upon graduation) while tallying 496 rebounds and 130 assists. Twice named to the Omaha World-Herald All-Nebraska Team, Rick led the 2000-01 and 2002-03 squads to national tournament appearances. He was lauded as an NAIA Second Team All-American in 2003-04 and an NAIA Honorable Mention All-American in 2002-03. He paced the Bulldogs in scoring with 27 points in the memorable 2003 GPAC tournament championship game win over Dordt. The ’02-03 team went on to reach the NAIA national quarterfinals. Among other accolades, Rick was recognized as the 2003-04 Team MVP, the team’s Offensive Player of the Year in 2002-03 and 2003-04, a three-time GPAC Scholar-Athlete, a two-time CIT all-tournament selection and as a 2003 NAIA Division II National Tournament All-Tournament choice.
A Lincoln, Nebraska, native and Lincoln East High School alum, Rick graduated from Concordia with a degree in Business Administration and minor in Communications. Professionally, Dietze is a lead research analyst for Transamerica. Rick and his wife Camille have two children: Bryson and Jaxon. Rick is a member and former president of Nebraska Home Office Life Underwriting Association. He serves as treasurer for Southeast Rural Fire and Rescue and is a member of Capital City Christian Church in Lincoln. Says Rick of his time at Concordia, “Concordia changed my life in many ways. It shaped me into who I am today, a better husband, father, brother and friend. Most importantly, Concordia brought me closer to God, where prior to coming to Concordia, God was in the backseat. Coach Schmit, Coach (Marty) Kohlwey, teammates, students and faculty have all played a part in influencing my life in many ways.”
Chandler Folkerts ‘17
Perhaps the most dominant post player in Concordia Men’s Basketball history, Chandler Folkerts garnered two uniquely impressive awards. He was named the 2015-16 NAIA Emil S. Liston Award winner and the 2016-17 NAIA Men’s Basketball Academic Team Member of the Year by College Sports Information Directors of America. Both honors reward excellence both athletically and academically. The 4.0 student garnered NAIA Second Team All-America honors in 2016-17 and was an Honorable Mention All-American in 2015-16. At the GPAC level, Chandler pulled in four all-conference awards, including first team accolades three times and honorable mention once. He was named the 2016-17 GPAC Defensive Player of the Year. Over 121 career games, Chandler totaled 1,963 points, 868 rebounds, 153 assists, 142 blocks and 109 steals. At the time of graduation, he held program all-time rankings of second in rebounds, third in scoring and fourth in blocked shots. Additionally, Chandler garnered three CoSIDA Academic All-America and All-District honors, was recognized as the honorary captain of the 2016-17 Omaha World-Herald All-Nebraska team, received four All-Nebraska team awards and was twice named the MVP of the Concordia Invitational Tournament. For his hoops dominance and all-around excellence, Chandler became known as “The Chanimal.” He was coached by Ben Limback.
Chandler earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Physics. He went on to receive his Master of Science degree in Agricultural Engineering from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Chandler has put his education to use in his vocations working with JCA Technologies and CamoAg. He attends Love Church in Omaha. Chandler recently married his wife Jaycee. Says Chandler of his time at Concordia, “I had awesome Christian leaders in my life and a great group of lifelong friends.” Chandler also mentioned CIT as some of his greatest playing memories.
Rod Giesselmann ‘71
A three-sport athlete at Concordia, Rod Giesselmann especially made a name for himself as quarterback of the 1970 Nebraska Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championship team coached by John Seevers. Ahead of his time as a passer, Rod held school career/season records at the time of his graduation for pass attempts in a career (839), pass completions in a career (355), passing yards in a career (5,380), passing touchdowns in a career (47), pass attempts in a season (264), pass completions in a season (116), passing yards in a season (1,783) and passing touchdowns in a season (17). He also held five single game passing records upon graduation. The honors for Rod included first team all-conference accolades in 1968 (Tri-State) and 1970 (NIAC). While leading the Bulldogs to a No. 12 final NAIA ranking in 1970, Rod was also lauded as the first team quarterback among Nebraska small colleges (as selected by the Lincoln Journal Star and Omaha World-Herald) and was named Honorable Mention NAIA District 11 and to the All-Lutheran College Football Second Team. Rod played his first three football seasons for Ron Harms and his final one for Seevers (both members of the Concordia Athletics Hall of Fame). The ’70 football team joined the school’s Hall of Fame in 2000. Giesselmann also played two seasons of basketball for Head Coach Stan Brassie and two seasons of baseball for the coaches Carl Everts and Rueben Stohs. Rod averaged 8.0 points per game in 1967-68. He earned a combined eight varsity athletic letters and was tabbed the 1970 Concordia Outstanding Senior Athlete of the Year.
Rod graduated from both Concordia High School and what was then called Concordia Teachers College. He went on to earn his State Health Education certification from Queens College and a master’s degree from Fort Hays State University. In his professional career, Rod served as a teacher, administrator and coach before transitioning to work as a financial representative with AAL/Thrivent. Rod and his wife Rebecca (Flowers) have four sons: Cory, Zachry, Luke and Samuel. Rod has held memberships in the American Football Coaches Association and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He attends Grace Lutheran Church in Arlington, Texas, where he has been a longtime committee chairman.
Luther Klenke ‘68
In his official service to Concordia University, Nebraska from 1968 through 2001, Luther Klenke did a little bit of everything. Already recognized with a Concordia Lifetime Service Alumni Award, Luther served as longtime Director of Campus Center and Student Activities. He supported the athletic department and its student-athletes by driving team buses, operating the scoreboard, working the concession stands and coordinating team travel, halftime shows and pre- and postgame celebrations. He also sponsored athletic endeavors such as the C-Club, and the cheer squad and actively engaged in enriching the lives of Concordia students, athletes or not. Even in his retirement, Luther has been a fixture at Bulldog sporting events. He will be remembered by countless fans, students and coaches for being a proud supporter of Bulldog Athletics.
Luther graduated from Concordia High School of Fort Wayne, Indiana, before later completing his college education at Concordia College of Nebraska. Luther served students at two elementary schools in Michigan before beginning his service to Concordia, which lasted for 33 years until his retirement in 2001. Luther and his wife Nancy have a daughter Annette and sons Timothy and Nathan. Outside of family life and employment, Luther became active in the Association of College Events & Directors as a board member. Within Seward, Luther has lent himself to Volunteer Fire and Rescue, the 4th of July Parade Committee and Seward Crossmakers. He has been a member of St. John Lutheran Church since 1968 and has served as elder, usher, communion assistant and in choir. Wrote Luther, “Being employed at a Lutheran university kept me close to the faith of my childhood. Working with athletics, I came to appreciate how committed coaches and athletes are to the team in reinforcing that commitment that allows for growth and strength on the playing field and in life.”
Bailey Morris ‘15
An all-time great in the history of Concordia Women’s Basketball, Bailey Morris became the first and only Bulldog to be named NAIA Division II National Player of the Year. Bailey rose to that status in her senior year of 2014-15 when she led Concordia to the national championship game for the first time ever. Known for her flair and artistry on the court, Bailey stands out as the program’s all-time leading scorer with 2,054 points. She also broke the school record for scoring in a single game with her memorable 45-point outburst in a win over Northwestern in February 2014. Bailey was named the GPAC Player of the Year and an NAIA First Team All-American as both a junior and senior. The four-time All-GPAC performer was recognized as honorary captain of the Omaha World-Herald’s All-Nebraska team in 2013-14 and 2014-15 and was tabbed the Midlands College Women’s Athlete of the Year by the World-Herald in 2015. At the time of induction, Bailey sported additional program all-time rankings of second in steals (394), fourth in assists (502) and fifth in made 3-point field goals (201). Under the direction of Head Coach Drew Olson, Bailey and her teammates produced a combined four-year record of 119-21 with four combined GPAC championships, four national tournament appearances and two separate runs to at least the national semifinals.
Bailey graduated from Concordia with her Bachelor of Arts degree in Sport Management. She went on to earn her M.S. in Educational Policy and Administration from Dakota Wesleyan University. The Sandy Creek High School alum has found her calling as in college coaching and has spent time with the women’s basketball programs of Oklahoma Wesleyan University, Dakota Wesleyan, Briar Cliff University and the University of Nebraska-Kearney. Bailey is currently the Director of Basketball Operations at the University of Idaho. She is a member of the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association. Some of Bailey’s special memories of Concordia include CIT at home, a choregraphed Gangnam Style dance with then President Friedrich, the run to the national championship game, bus trips, pre-game devotions and doing the Interlude after beating UNO freshman year.
1983 Men’s Tennis
Guided by Head Coach Charles Krutz, the 1982-83 Concordia Men’s Tennis team went undefeated in conference play and claimed the Nebraska Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championship. The Bulldogs proceeded to place as the NAIA District XI runner up. Team members included Stan Meyer, Mark Cuttler, Mark Hollenbeck, Keith Lewis, David Schultz, Kevin Nast, Dan Delzell and Steve Niermann.
Coach Krutz graduated from Concordia High School in 1950 and Concordia College in 1954. In addition to his coaching duties, Krutz served on the Concordia music faculty from 1956 to 1996. Wrote Stan Meyer of the 1983 squad, “We would not have achieved these results and won the conference championship without the contributions of every player – a true team effort. The team also had a great culture and chemistry led by Coach Charles Krutz.” Wrote David Schultz, “The conference championships were especially memorable, but the most special aspect was the Christian community that is Concordia.”